Apparatus and method for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter

ABSTRACT

To each counter wheel of a counter, a clearing cam with cam track portions analog to the values represented in digital angular positions of the counter wheel, is secured. Spring-biased sensing members are moved toward the respective cams and abut cam track portions analog to the digits stored in the respective counters. The sensed value is transferred from the sensing members, whereupon the counter wheels are unlocked by retracting tens-transfer means, permitting the cams to be pressed by the sensing members to a clearing position in which the counter wheels are set back to zero.

United States Patent Kelch et al.

[ Nov. 12, 1974 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A VALUE FROM ACOUNTER AND FOR CLEARING THE COUNTER Inventors: Heinz Kelch, Buchenberg;Helmuth Mueller, St. Georgen, both of Germany Assignee: Kienzle ApparateG.m.b.ll.,

Villingen/Schuartuald, Germany Filed: Aug. 30, 1973 Appl. N0.: 393,142

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 309,508, Nov. 24,1972, abandoned.

Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 24, 1971 Germany 2158111 U.S.Cl..... 235/61 PD, 235/144 M, 235/144 SP Int. Cl G06c 15/42 Field ofSearch 235/61 PD, 61 PG, 61 PJ,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,131,684 9/1938 Haegele etal 235/61 PG 2,344,627 3/1944 Mixer 2,822,130 2/1958 Nolde et al 235/61PD 2,989,230 6/1961 Adams 3,069,083 12/1962 Haydon PrimaryExaminer-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker[57] ABSTRACT To each counter wheel of a counter, a clearing cam withcam track portions analog to the values represented in digital angularpositions of the counter wheel, is secured. Spring-biased sensingmembers are moved toward the respective cams and abut cam track portionsanalog to the digits stored in the respective counters. The sensed valueis transferred from the sensing members, whereupon the counter wheelsare unlocked by retracting tens-transfer means, permitting the cams tobe pressed by the sensing members to a clearing position in which thecounter wheels are set back to zero.

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures AT um/121974 P ENTE SHEET 3 3.848.113

SHEET 2 OF 3 PATENTL NBV I 21974 I Illlllllll FIG. 3

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A VALUE FROM A COUNTER AND FORCLEARING THE COUNTER The present application is a continuationapplication of our copending application Ser. No. 309,508 filed Nov. 24,1972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to anapparatus for clearing the counter wheels of a counter, and for settingvalue representing members to a position permitting interrogation of thenumber stored in the counter.

Counters of this type are particularly used where various amount ofmerchandise is supplied to a customer, for example, gasoline dispensedat a gas station. For registering and reading out of the amountdispensed to an individual customer, a measuring device is used fordetermining the dispensed volume of liquid, and indicated at a counter.Consequently, it is necessary to clear the counter before each newoperation, so that the counter indicates zero. It is known to clear thecounter at the latest before the beginning of a new dispensingoperation, either manually or automatically.

In arrangements of this type, a total counter is provided forcontrolling the total amounts discharged during a predetermined timeperiod. Such a total counter does not give any information regarding themanner in which the final result was obtained during the time period.Later checking or control of possibly valuable information regardingspecific dispensing operations, and determination of whether theoperations were carried out economically and properly is not possible inan arrangement provided with several dispensing stations.

It is known to provide counters of this type with printing means inwhich the partial values are printed on a tape wound up within a casing.This manner of determing individual data is expensive, and theevaluation of the data is time consuming. Furthermore, a complicatedconstruction is required to drive the multi-order printing rollers fromthe counter, and to clear the same, particularly since in many cases therequired power is not available.

Generally, it can be stated that, in order to obtain great accuracy ofmeasurement, it must be avoided that the measuring device is subjectedto an additional load due to mechanical forces required for theindication and registration.

The British Pat. No. 931,883 discloses a mechanical counter with meansfor interrogation of the stored number. It is only possible tointerrogate a static position, but the apparatus is not suited forreturning the counter to the zero position.

The German Pat. No. 1,265,464 discloses an apparatus for sensing in eachorder the value representing members of a counter, and for transformingangular positions in an analog manner into electric pulses. A steppeddisc is required for each counter wheel which are sensed by sensinglevers successively associated with the stepped discs by a cam shaft.The apparatus requires high precision, but is capable of representing byelectric contacts only a static value, and there is no possibility ofchecking the correctness of the transferred value.

The German OS 1,939,533 discloses an apparatus for interrogating acounter in which a sensing member is moved toward a value representingmember connected with a counter wheel. The value representing member isconstructed as a stepped disc. The arrangement is limited to aninterrogation device whose only purpose is to transform the sensingdistance into electric pulses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide asimple apparatus for interrogating and clearing a counter which is freeof the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of simpleconstruction which permits the interrogation and clearing of a counter.

The sensing means first moves through positions representing fallingcomplementary values above the stored digit value and then senses thecam track portions representing the stored digit value. The sensingmeans then presses against the cam track so that the cam turns and thesensing means successively engages cam track portions representingfalling real values below the stored digit value, and finally zero valueso that the counter wheel is cleared.

An embodiment of the invention comprises an ordinal series of counterwheels, each of which is connected with a cam having a cam track withsuccessive analog cam track portions representing the digital angularpositions of the respective counter wheel; sensing means for each cam,biased toward the respective cam track; control means for simultaneouslyretracting the sensing means to a position of rest, and for releasingthe sensing means for biased movement to a value transfer positionabutting and pressing against the cam track portion representing a valuestored in the respective counter wheel so that the respective cam isurged to move to a clearing position; value representing means operatedby each sensing means in said value transfer position upon interrogationto represent the value sensed by the sensing means in the value transferposition; and blocking means for blocking rotation of each counterwheel, and controlled by the control means to release the counter wheelsafter operation of the value representing means so that the biasedsensing means moves the cams to the clearing position in which thecounter wheels are cleared.

It is an advantage of the present invention as compared to the prior artthat a cam provided for clearing the counter, cooperates with sensingmeans for simultaneous transfer of a value represented by the counterwheel, and also complementary values, to another value representingmeans. At each point of the clearing cam, a value analog informationregarding the stored and indicated value of the respective counter wheelis contained. Furthermore, the sensing means which drives the clearingcam to clear the counter wheel, moves, starting from a position of rest,always through positions corresponding to all ten digital positions ofthe counter wheel. Due to this arrangement of the invention, theclearing means, which are provided in any event, are used for dividingmovement of the clearing means into three phases, which can be easilyseparated and are in corresponding relationship. In this manner, eachtransfer of a value can be checked with several additionally obtainedcontrol informations regarding correctness.

An apparatus according to the invention for clearing a counter, and fortransferring values stored in the counter, has great advantagesregarding the spatial arrangement of the parts due to the fact that thesame device can be used for transferring a value and for clearing thecounter, and can be arranged in a plane in which the counter wheel islocated. Due to the separation of the drive for the clearing means andfor the value transferring means, no load is applied by the valuetransfer means to the counter during the registering operation, and atthe moment of interrogation, a printing device can be actuated, or aremote transfer started, without varying the indication of the counter,

which means a valuable possibility for comparing the indicated valuewith the transferred value. Due to the fact that the counter does notreceive any additional load from the interrogation units, a reduceddriving moment, and higher rotary speeds can be used. Interrogationdevices in the form of electric contacts, are during a registrationoperation, mechanically as well as electrically loaded, but only at thecontrollable interrogation moment.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic side viewillustrating an embodiment of the invention in a position of rest;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating an embodiment of FIG. 1 ina value transferring position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the-embodiment of FIGS. 1and 2 in a cleared position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view illustrating a counter provided with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of an enlarged scale illustrating thetransfer of a value to a printing device and/or a code disc; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale, illustrating asensing slide with contact means moving along a straight path, forcooperation with coded printed circuit cards.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate all parts necessary for interrogation andclearing of a counter wheel. The counter wheels 1, 2 and 3 have asubstantially identical construction, and are mounted for rotation on ashaft 4 which is supported in frame walls, not shown. Each counter wheel1, 2, 3 consists of a cylindrical body la having an outer cylindricalsurface lb on which digits, or other symbols 1c are provided which arebest seen in FIG. 4. Corresponding digits 2c of the counter wheel 2 areshown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 to indicate the positions of thecounter wheel 2. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 also show a cover 5 which has openings6 for observing the digits actually on the outer surface 2b of thecounter wheel 2, but schematically indicated outward of counter wheel 2.In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 the counter is shown in a cleared position in whichthe digit zero is viewed through the window 6, while FIG. 2 illustratesanother position of the counter in which the respective counter wheelstores the digit 6 which is viewed through the window 6, actually on theouter surface 2b of counter wheel 2, but schematically shown in front ofthe window 6.

Corresponding parts of counter wheels 1 and 2 are provided withcorresponding subscripts, for example, indicia digits Is on counterwheel 1 correspond to indicia digits 2c in FIGS. 1 to 3, and beingprovided on the counter surfaces lb and 2b, respectively.

Counter wheel 1 is fixibly secured to a drive gear M in a predeterminedangular position in relation to the indicia digits 1c. On the otherside, a clearing cam 1e, which also serves for transferring measuredvalues stored in the counter, a disc 1 f with a sliding rim lg and witha double tooth 1/1, is arranged for the tenstransfer. In the samemanner, the counter wheels 2 and 3 of the second and third decimalorder, and further counter wheels of higher decimal orders areconstructed.

The counter wheel 1 of the lowest unit order, is the only counter wheelprovided with a star-shaped arresting member 7 which can be engaged byarresting and aligning means not shown, for precisely determining theangular position of the unit counter wheel 1, and thereby of the counterwheels of the higher orders. This arrangement is well known and not anobject of the invention.

The tens-transfer connection between each counter wheel and the nexthigher order counter wheel is obtained by a tens-transfer means 8 whichis rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 9, as best seen in FIG. 4.The gear portion 8a of each tens-transfer means 8 meshes with the lugsof the respective disc 1f of the next lower decimal order, and with thedrive gear 2d of the next higher order represented by counter wheel 2.

Shaft 9 is mounted in the lever arm 10 of a lever 12 which is pivotallymounted on a stationary pivot 11, and has another lever arm 13 providedwith the follower roller 14 rolling on the peripheral track of a controlcam 15 due to the action of spring 16 on lever arm 10.

A control cam 15 is fixedly secured to a control shaft 17, which may bemanually or mechanically rotated, and carries another control cam 18.The peripheral cam track of control cam 15, by which the movement of thetens-transfer device 8 is controlled, is designed so that thetens-transfer devices 8 disengage from members 1d, 2d, 3d and 1f, 2f, 3fand permit free rotation of the counter wheels 1, 2, 3 when the same areturned back to the zero position during a clearing operation which willbe described hereinafter.

The control cam 18 has a peripheral surface which engages a followerroller 19 mounted on a swinging arm 20 supported for angular movement bystationary shaft 21, so that swinging lever moves within a predeterminedangle in a predetermined phase relation with control cam 15. On thelever arm 22 of swinging lever 20, a transverse rail 23 is mounted whichextends in axial direction over the entire axial length of all counterwheels, and cooperates with the projection 25 of a sensing member forsensing slide 26 which is mounted on guide rods 27 for movement in aplane, and has on its other end, a follower roller 28. A sensing means25, 26, 28 is provided for each counter wheel 1, 2, 3 and cooperateswith the respective clearing cam le, 2e, 32, being located in the sameplane transverse to shaft 4.

A spring 24 is secured at one end to a stationary point 24a of thesupporting frame of the machine, and at the other end to a point 26a onthe respective sensing member 26, biasing the respective sensing member26 to move to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 to 3 for engaging the camtrack 41 of the respective clearing cam 2e, as shown in FIG. 2. In theposition of rest shown in FIG. 1, cam 18 holds lever in a position inwhich the rail blocks movement of all sensing members 26 due to theaction of the respective springs 24, consequently the follower roller 28is spaced from the respective ram 2e. A value representing projection 29points to the indica X of a scale 30 which has also the digits from 9 to9 indicating other positions of the respective sensing member 26.

When control cam 18 is turned by control shaft 17 out of the positionshown in FIG. 1, and a lower cam portion is effective, a spring, notshown, turns lever 20 and rail 23 away from the portion 25, so that thespring 24 moves the sensing means 26, 28 to the right as viewed in thedrawing. Each sensing means 26, 28 moves entirely independently andunder the action of the respective spring 24 along a straight path,parallel to the other sensing means 26, 28.

Assuming that a value 6 is stored in the counter wheel 2, the respectiveclearing cam 2e is in the position shown in FIG. 2, and the cam track 41is engaged by the follower roller 28 so that the value representingprojection 29 indicates schematically the digit 6 in the scale 30. Theposition of the sensing means 26, 28 shown in FIG. 2 is a value transferposition in which the value stored in the respective counter wheel 2 isrepresented by the position of the projection 29, and can betransferred.

The peripheral cam track 41 of cam 1e, 2e, 3e is equidistant to animaginary curve 42 which passes through the center of the followerroller 28. The imaginary curve 42 has such a shape that for each angulardisplacement of the respective counter wheel, between two successivedigital positions the center of roller 28 is displaced the same distanceso that each digital position of the counter wheel corresponds toindication by projection 29 of another digit on the scale 30. In otherwords, when the respective clearing cam is turned with the counter wheelbetween digital positions, the sensing member 26 moves equal distances,as indicated by the scale 30.

Consequently, if in another counter wheel the digit 4 would be stored,the respective portion of cam track 41 would permit the respectivespring 24 to pull the respective sensing member 26 to a position inwhich projection 29 is located opposite the line of scale 30representing the digit 4. It can be said that the cam has cam track 41with successive portions whose radii vary analog to the valuesrepresented in successive digital positions of the counter wheel.

The cams 1e, 2e, 3e are secured to the counter wheels 1, 2, 3respectively for rotation therewith, in a particular relative positionto the digital angular positions of the counter wheel so that the sensedheight of the cam track 41 is analog to the value which is stored in thecounter and to be transferred to other value representing means.

The shoulder connecting the highest point of the cam track 41 with thelowest point of the cam track 41, has an abutment 43 which cooperates inthe zero position with a portion of the sensing member or slide 26, asbest seen in FIG. 3, so that the counter wheel 2 and cam 2e are arrestedand held in an accurate zero position.

The projecting means 29 is only symbolically shown as an indicatorcooperating with a scale 30 having an indicia X indicating the positionof rest, and I0 other indicia corresponding to the digits from 9 to 0.Starting from the position of rest X, first complementary values to thestored values are represented, thereupon the stored value 6 isrepresented as shown in FIG. 2, and diminishing real values arerepresented, and finally the cleared position zero.

FIG. 5 shows a first construction which is symbolically represented byprojection 29 and scale 30 in FIGS. 1 to 3. The slide 26 has a rackportion 31 meshing with the pinion 32 secured to a printing wheel 33which is lined on both sides, and has at least on one side a printedcircuit 35 cooperating with contact springs 34 which sense theconductive surfaces 35 in a predetermined sequence to determine thestored values in coded form. While the real counter position isrepresented in a static condition by the counter wheels, the respectivecomplementary and real digital values are determined by a dynamicpassage of the interrogating means through the entire order and alldigital positions. For testing purposes, it is sufficient to count onlythe position of the complementary values in relation to the storedvalue, and to determine the relation between the same.

Another embodiment of value representing means to which the stored valueis transferred, is shown in FIG. 6. On a projecting arm 37 of thesensing member 26, a group of contact brushes 36 is mounted, and thegroup of contact brushes 36 moves at the same speed as sensing slide 26along a straight path over a coded printed circuit card 38. Inaccordance with each position, the output 39 of the printed circuit card38 has a signal, for example in a binary code, for evaluation,

.which is generated due to the conductive connection through the groupof contact brushes 36 with a printed circuit part 40 connected to avoltage.

OPERATION Counters as described above are connected by mechanicaltransmissions with a measuring device which, for example measures thevolume of a dispensed liquid. For the provision of data, visualinterpretation, as well as for printing out or for electricinterrogation, it is required that indicated value intermediate todigits, is adjusted to an integral digit. This is accomplished bycontrol shaft 17 which operates means, not shown in the drawing, bywhich an aligning member is pressed into a recess of the star-shapedarresting wheel 7 which is secured to the lowest counter order, so thatthe counter wheels of the higher orders are automatically adjusted to adigital position by the tens-transfer means 8.

Upon continued rotation of the control shaft 17 in counterclockwisedirection, the lower cam track portions of the control cam 18 becomeeffective to permit withdrawal of rail 23 from projections 25 so thatsprings 24 pull the sensing slide 26 to the right as viewed in thedrawing. Each sensing means 26, 28 moves in a plane perpendicular toshaft 4, in which the respective correlated cams 1e, 2e, 3e are located.All slides 26 are located in a horizontal plane passing through the axisof shaft 4.

If no value is stored in the respective counter wheel, so that nopairing is required, sensing means 26, 28 move to a position in whichroller 28 engages the partcircular recess 44, for resting the cam andcounter wheel, as shown in FIG. 3.

Assuming, however, that the respective counter wheel 2 stores the digit6, cam 2e is in the position shown in FIG. 2, and spring 24 pulls therespective sensing means 26, 28 to a position in which roller 28 abutsthe peripheral cam track 41 of cam 2e. In order to arrive in theposition of FIG. 2, the sensing means 26, 28 have moved out of theposition of rest X, and through complementary digital positions 9, 8, 7to arrive in the position sensing the digit 6.

Sensing means 26, 28 is pressed by the respective spring 24 against thecam track 41 and due to the fact that the radius of the cam trackdecreases in one direction, urges cam 2e to turn in clockwise directionto the cleared zero position.

However, cam 2e and counter wheel 2 cannot move to the zero position aslong as the teeth 8a of the tenstransfer device 8 engage the teeth ofthe drive gear 2d.

In the value transfer position of sensing means 26, 28, 29 shown in FIG.2, the electric interrogation, or printing of the value stored in thecounter wheel 2 and in the respective means 26, 28, 29 takes place,while control shaft 17 stops. As long as control shaft 17 is notoperated for causing clearing of the counter to zero positions of thecounter wheels, but in addition to the relation of the complementaryvalue to the statically indicated stored value, a visual control of thetransfer of the value is possible.

Irrespective of the fact that the pressure of the sensing means 26, 28caused by spring 24 and acting on cam 2e urges the counter wheel toturn, the counter wheel is blocked due to the engagement between theteeth 8a of the tens-transfer means 8 with the gear 2d, and with theteeth of the disc If. Only when control shaft 17 is again turned, camtrack portion of control cam becomes effective to turn lever 12 aboutpivot 11 to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which tenstransfer means 8is retracted from the counter and the counter wheel 2 can freely rotatewhich is accomplished by the pressure of roller 28 on cam track 41 whichcauses turning of cam 2e from the position of FIG. 2 to the position ofFIG. 3 in which the follower roller 28 engages the part-circular recess44 at the lowest point of the cam track, while the abutment 43 oil theshoulder of cam 2e abuts the sensing slide 26, as shown in FIG. 3. Thecooperation between roller 28 and recess 44, and the abutment face 43assure that counter wheel 2 is placed exactly in the zero position, andis stable in this position. The engagement of the abutment face 43 withthe slide 26 also precisely determines the clearing position of cam 2e.In this position, the control cam 15 is turned by the rotating controlshaft 17 so that the ten-transfer means 8 again engages the drive gears2d, 3d and the lugs of the discs 1f, 2f. Finally, at the end of thecyclical operation of shaft 17, cam 18 operates control lever 20 andrail 23 to pull all sensing means 26, 28 back to the initial position ofrest X shown in FIG. 1.

In the above described arrangement, all sensing means move from theposition of rest X through a complementary position associated withdigits 9, 8, 7 to the position representing the stored digit 6, and thenin accordance with the real diminishing values through the positions 5to 0. However, it is possible to construct the clearing cam 1e, 2e, Sein relation to the sequence of digits on the counter wheels 1, 2, 3 inthe mirror reversed arrangement which means that the sensing member 26moves from a common position of rest and assumes positions correspondingto a sequence of real numbers, then indicates the static counterposition with the stored digit, and finally, during return of thecounter wheels 1, 2, 3 to the zero position counts the complementaryvalues. The value indications of the interrogating elements 30, 35, 38must also be mirror reversed constructed. Contrary to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the direction of rotation of the counter wheels forcounting and for return to the cleared position remains the same.

Instead of the slides 26, which are guided along a straight path byguide rails 27, in a common horizontal plane passing through the axis ofthe counter wheels, sensing levers can be used which are turnable aboutthe pivot axis.

The difference from the above described embodiment is only that for atransfer of values by the sensing lever, a transmission ratio influencedby the construction of the sensing levers can be obtained between theanalog values of the clearing and value transferring cams. Furthermore,the value representing transmissions are transformed into analog angularposition when obtained from the sensed height of the cam track of theclearing and value transferring cam.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofarrangements for transferring a value from a counter and for clearingthe counter, differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anapparatus including a clearing cam with successive analog cam trackportions sensed by sensing means from which sensed values aretransferred to other value representing means, it is not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearingthe counter, comprising an ordinal series of counter wheels rotatableabout an axis; a cam connected with each counter wheel for movementtherewith and having a cam track with successive analog cam trackportions representing the digital angular positions of the respectivecounter wheel, respectively, and decreasing in one direction; sensingmeans for each cam, biassed toward the respective cam track; controlmeans for simultaneously retracting said sensing means to a position ofrest, and for releasing said sensing means for biassed movement to avalue transfer position abutting and pressing against the cam trackportion representing a value stored in the respective counter wheel sothat the respective cam is urged to move in said one direction to aclearing position; value representing means operated by each sensingmeans in said value transfer position to represent the value sensed bysaid sensing means in said value transfer position; and blocking meansfor blocking rotation of each counter wheel, and controlled by saidcontrol means to release said counter wheels after operation of saidvalue representing means so that said biassed sensing means move saidcams to said clearing position in which 'said counter wheels arecleared.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each sensing means includes asensing member, and a spring for biassing said sensing member toward therespective cam track portion; and wherein each sensing member has meansfor operating the respective value representing means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each sensing member includesa roller rotatably mounted thereon in contact with the respective camtrack when the respective sensing member is in said value transferposition, and during movement of said cam to said clearing position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cam track is equidistantfrom an imaginary curve passing through the axis of said roller andhaving for each angular displacement of the respective counter wheelbetween two successive digital positions, the same radial distanceincrease so that when said cam is turned with said counterwheel betweendigital positions, said sensing member moves equal distances.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing members areparallel slides movable in a common plane along a straight path; andwherein the cam track portions engaged by said sensing member arelocated in said plane.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said cam has a lockingportion operative in said clearing position to interlock with saidsensing means so that said counter wheel is fully cleared.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing means includesensing members, respectively, and sensing rollers rotatably mounted onsaid sensing members abutting said cam tracks in said value transferposition, and rolling thereon during movement of said cams to saidclearing position; and wherein each cam track has a circular concaveportion receiving said roller in said clearing position for interlockingsaid sensing members with said cams so that said counter wheels are heldin a fully cleared position.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said circular concave trackportion is located at the lowest point of said cam track; and whereinsaid cam has an abutment portion on a shoulder between the highest andlowest points of said cam track abutting said sensing member in saidclearing position of said cam.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each sensing member and thecorrelated cam are located in a common plane perpendicular to said axis.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blocking means includetens-transfer means connecting adjacent counter wheels, and beingoperated by said control means between a position engaging and blockingsaid transfer wheels, and a releasing position spaced from said counterwheels.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said control means includea control shaft, a first control cam on said control shaft for operatingsaid blocking means, a second control cam, and means including a railoperated by said second control cam for retracting and releasing saidsensing means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cam is fixedly securedto said counter wheel for rotation about said axis, and wherein said camtrack has such a gradient that successive portions of said cam spacedthe sam angular distance have portions of said cam track spaced fromsaid axis equally increased radial distances so that during movement ofsaid cam to said clearing position, said sensing means moves the samedistance whenever the respective counter wheel turns to successivedigital positions.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cam is fixedly securedto the respective counter wheel for rotation; wherein each sensing meanshas a means for operating said value representing means, and moves equaldistances when said counter wheel and said cam turn equal angles betweensuccessive digital positions of said counter wheel; and wherein saidsensing means moves from said position of rest first to digitalpositions representing complementary values, then to said value transferposition representing the digit stored in said counter wheel, and thento digital positions representing lower real values than said storeddigit.

14. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearingthe counter, comprising at least one counter wheel for storing digitvalues; a clearing cam operatively connected with said counterwheel,said clearing cam having a cam track whose height varies analog to thedigital values represented by said counter wheel in successive digitalpositions so that when a digit is stored in said counter wheel, a camtrack portion corresponding to the stored digit value is placed in asensing position; and sensing and clearing means movable from a positionof rest through a plurality of positions until sensing said cam trackportion which is in said sensing position for determining andtransferring said stored digital value, and for clearing the counterwheel by pressing against said cam track.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said sensing and clearingmeans are movable through positions representing falling complementaryvalues to the stored digit to a value transfer position sensing said camtrack portion .in said sensing position and pressing against the same sothat said clearing cam is moved in the direction in which the height ofsaid cam track diminishes whereby said sensing and clearing meanssuccessively engages cam track portions representing falling real digitvalues below said stored digit value and finally zero value so that saidcounter wheel is cleared.

16. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearingthe counter, comprising at least one counter wheel rotatable about anaxis between a plurality of successive digital angular positionsrepresenting successive digital values; a clearing cam connected withsaid counter wheel for movement, and having a cam track whose heightvaries analog to the digit values represented by said counter wheel insuccessive digital angular positions so that when a selected digit valueis stored in said counter wheel, a cam track portion whose heightrepresents the stored digit value is placed in a sensing position;sensing means for sensing said cam track; control means for moving saidsensing means between a position of rest, and a value transfer positionabutting and pressing against said cam track portion in said sensingposition so that said clearing cam is moved to a clearing positionwhereby said counter wheel is cleared; and value representing meansoperated by said sensing means in said value transfer position torepresent the digit value stored in said counter wheel and sensed bysaid sensing means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 comprising means for operating saidcontrol means to first move said sensing means from said position ofrest to said value transfer position through positions representingfalling complementary digit values above the stored digit value, and tothen press said sensing means against said track portion so that saidclearing cam turns in the direction in which the height of the trackdiminishes whereby said sensing means successively engages trackportions representing falling real digit values below said stored digitvalue and finally zero digit value so that said counter wheel iscleared.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said clearing cam isfixedly secured to said counter wheel for rotation therewith about acommon axis; wherein the height of said cam track diminishes in onedirection of rotation so that said clearing cam turns in said directionof rotation to said clearing position when said sensing means pressesagainst said cam track whereby said counter wheel is cleared.

1. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearingthe counter, comprising an ordinal series of counter wheels rotatableabout an axis; a cam connected with each counter wheel for movementtherewith and having a cam track with successive analog cam trackportions representing the digital angular positions of the respectivecounter wheel, respectively, and decreasing in one direction; sensingmeans for each cam, biassed toward the respective cam track; controlmeans for simultaneously retracting said sensing means to a position ofrest, and for releasing said sensing means for biassed movement to avalue transfer position abutting and pressing against the cam trackportion representing a value stored in the respective counter wheel sothat the respective cam is urged to move in said one direction to aclearing position; value representing means operated by each sensingmeans in said value transfer position to represent the value sensed bysaid sensing means in said value transfer position; and blocking meansfor blocking rotation of each counter wheel, and controlled by saidcontrol means to release said counter wheels after operation of saidvalue representing means so that said biassed sensing means move saidcams to said clearing position in which said counter wheels are cleared.2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each sensing means includes asensing member, and a spring for biassing said sensing member toward therespective cam track portion; and wherein each sensing member has meansfor operating the respective value representing means.
 3. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 2 wherein each sensing member includes a rollerrotatably mounted thereon in contact with the respective cam track whenthe respective sensing member is in said value transfer position, andduring movement of said cam to said clearing position.
 4. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 3 wherein said cam track is equidistant from animaginary curve passing through the axis of said roller and having foreach angular displacement of the respective counter wheel between twosuccessive digital positions, the same radial distance increase so thatwhen said cam is turned with said counterwheel between digitalpositions, said sensing member moves equal distances.
 5. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing members are parallel slidesmovable in a common plane along a straight path; and wherein the camtrack portions engaged by said sensing member are located in said plane.6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said cam has a lockingportion operative in said clearing position to interlock with saidsensing means so that said counter wheel is fully cleared.
 7. Apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing means include sensingmembers, respectively, and sensing rollers rotatably mounted on saidsensing members abutting said cam tracks in said value transferposition, and rolling thereon during movement of said cams to saidclearing position; and wherein each cam track has a circular concaveportion receiving said roller in said clearing position for interlockingsaid sensing members with said cams so that said counter wheels are heldin a fully cleared position.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 whereinsaid circular concave track portion is located at the lowest point ofsaid cam track; and wherein said cam has an abutment portion on ashoulder between the highest and lowest points of said cam trackabutting said sensing member in said clearing position of said cam. 9.Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each sensing member and thecorrelated cam are located in a common plane perpendicular to said axis.10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blocking means includetens-transfer means connecting adjacent counter wheels, and beingoperated by said control means between a position engaging and blockingsaid transfer wheels, and a releasing position spaced from said counterwheels.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said control meansinclude a control shaft, a first control cam on said control shaft foroperating said blocking means, a second control cam, and means includinga rail operated by said second control cam for retracting and releasingsaid sensing means.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each camis fixedly secured to said counter wheel for rotation about said axis,and wherein said cam track has such a gradient that successive portionsof said cam spaced the sam angular distance have portions of said camtrack spaced from said axis equally increased radial distances so thatduring movement of said cam to said clearing position, said sensingmeans moves the same distance whenever the respective counter wheelturns to successive digital positions.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim1 wherein each cam is fixedly secured to the respective counter wheelfor rotation; wherein each sensing means has a means for operating saidvalue representing means, and moves equal distances when said counterwheel and said cam turn equal angles between successive digitalpositions of said counter wheel; and wherein said sensing means movesfrom said position of rest first to digital positions representingcomplementary values, then to said value transfer position representingthe digit stored in said counter wheel, and then to digital positionsrepresenting lower real values than said stored digit.
 14. Apparatus fortransferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter,comprising at least one counter wheel for storing digit values; aclearing cam operatively connected with said counter wheel, saidclearing cam having a cam track whose height varies analog to thedigital values represented by said counter wheel in successive digitalpositions so that when a digit is stored in said counter wheel, a camtrack portion corresponding to the stored digit value is placed in asensing position; and sensing and clearing means movable from a positionof rest through a plurality of positions until sensing said cam trackportion which is in said sensing position for determining andtransferring said stored digital value, and for clearing the counterwheel by pressing against said cam track.
 15. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 14 wherein said sensing and clearing means are movable throughpositions representing falling complementary values to the stored digitto a value transfer position sensing said cam track portion in saidsensing position and pressing against the same so that said clearing camis moved in the direction in which the height of said cam trackdiminishes whereby said sensing and clearing means successively engagescam track portions representing falling real digit values below saidstored digit value and finally zero value so that said counter wheel iscleared.
 16. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and forclearing the counter, comprising at least one counter wheel rotatableabout an axis between a plurality of successive digital angularpositions representing successive digital values; a clearing camconnected with said counter wheel for movement, and having a cam trackwhose height varies analog to the digit values represented by saidcounter wheel in successive digital angular positions so that when aselected digit value is stored in said counter wheel, a cam trackportion whose height represents the stored digit value is placed in asensing position; sensing means for sensing said cam track; controlmeans for moving said sensing means between a position of rest, and avalue transfer position abutting and pressing against said cam trackportion in said sensing position so that said clearing cam is moved to aclearing position whereby said counter wheel is cleared; and valuerepresenting means operated by said sensing means in said value transferposition to represent the digit value stored in said counter wheel andsensed by said sensing means.
 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16comprising means for opErating said control means to first move saidsensing means from said position of rest to said value transfer positionthrough positions representing falling complementary digit values abovethe stored digit value, and to then press said sensing means againstsaid track portion so that said clearing cam turns in the direction inwhich the height of the track diminishes whereby said sensing meanssuccessively engages track portions representing falling real digitvalues below said stored digit value and finally zero digit value sothat said counter wheel is cleared.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16wherein said clearing cam is fixedly secured to said counter wheel forrotation therewith about a common axis; wherein the height of said camtrack diminishes in one direction of rotation so that said clearing camturns in said direction of rotation to said clearing position when saidsensing means presses against said cam track whereby said counter wheelis cleared.